Carol Shaben

Carol Shaben is a Canadian author and journalist known for her award-winning non-fiction writing, particularly her 2012 book "Into the Abyss: How a Deadly Plane Crash Changed the Lives of a Pilot, a Politician, a Criminal and a Cop." Prior to becoming an author, Shaben worked as an international trade consultant and journalist. Her work has appeared in major Canadian publications including The Globe and Mail and Alberta Views magazine. "Into the Abyss" tells the story of a 1984 plane crash in northern Alberta that killed six passengers, including her father Larry Shaben, who survived along with three others. The book won the 2013 Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction and was named one of Amazon's Best Books of 2012. Shaben's investigative work extends beyond her book, with particular focus on aviation safety issues and human interest stories. She has received multiple awards for her journalism, including a National Magazine Award and two Western Magazine Awards.

Readers consistently rate "Into the Abyss" highly for its thorough research and emotional depth in documenting the 1984 plane crash and its aftermath. What readers liked: - Clear, engaging writing style that balances technical details with human elements - Careful handling of sensitive subject matter - Strong character development of the survivors - Well-researched aviation details and procedures - The focus on long-term impact rather than just the crash itself What readers disliked: - Some found the early chapters slow - A few readers wanted more technical crash analysis - Occasional timeline jumps caused confusion Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (300+ ratings) Sample reader comment from Goodreads: "Shaben strikes the perfect balance between technical accuracy and emotional resonance. She never sensationalizes but still keeps you invested in every person's story." The book maintains consistent positive reviews across Canadian and international readers, with particular appreciation from aviation enthusiasts and fans of survival narratives.

Into the Abyss (2012) A detailed account of a 1984 plane crash in northern Alberta and its aftermath, following four survivors - a pilot, a politician, a criminal and a police officer - whose lives became intertwined through the tragedy.

Sebastian Junger writes investigative non-fiction focusing on survival stories and human endurance in extreme situations. His books like "The Perfect Storm" and "Fire" share Shaben's approach of deep reporting on life-and-death events and their aftermath.

Mitchell Zuckoff specializes in reconstructing aviation disasters and their human impact through detailed research and survivor interviews. His works "Lost in Shangri-La" and "Frozen in Time" parallel Shaben's method of weaving together disaster narrative with personal stories.

Jon Krakauer investigates real-life events through extensive research and first-hand accounts, focusing on survival and human choices under pressure. His books "Into Thin Air" and "Into the Wild" share Shaben's commitment to exploring how catastrophic events transform lives.

Robert Kurson writes non-fiction narratives that examine how extraordinary circumstances affect ordinary people's lives. His works like "Shadow Divers" and "Crashing Through" employ the same careful attention to character development and historical detail found in Shaben's writing.

Laurence Gonzales focuses on survival stories and the psychology of disaster through investigative journalism. His books "Deep Survival" and "Flight 232" mirror Shaben's interest in aviation incidents and human resilience in the face of catastrophe.